Dance to raise funds for senior center

Proceeds from an upcoming dinner and dance will benefit the effort to construct a senior center on county-owned land in Leavenworth.

A dinner and dance are planned March 30 at the Leavenworth Riverfront Community Center.

This Spring Fling is the beginning of fund-raising efforts toward a new building to house the county's Council on Aging and a senior center. Plans call for construction on the grounds of the County Infirmary on Broadway Street in Leavenworth.

"We're going to have a garage sale June 2, and we're going to have raffles," said Jeanette Allison, who is taking the lead on fund-raising for the planned building. "The big fund-raiser is grants."

Leavenworth County Senior Services the group that has formed to establish the center hopes to raise $675,000 for the project.

"I'm in hopes we can get at least half in grants," Allison said. "The bricks and mortar are the hardest things to get grants for. As far as our programs for the seniors, there are a lot of grants out there for us."

Corporate sponsors are another possibility she's exploring. And memorials could help with the costs.

"So many people out there want to do something and want to leave a memory in their family's name," Allison said. "This is one way to do it. All of the seniors would enjoy it."

Plans call for construction to start in about two years on an 8,430-square-foot building just east of the infirmary. But Allison said she's also keeping watch for an existing building that would suit the group's needs.

A new senior center could provide educational services, as well as other activities.

"It will also be a place where seniors can walk in and have a cup of coffee and chit-chat," Allison said. "Those who are by themselves, that's such a big plus. And then there are projects we could do to help the community, even if it's stuffing envelopes or making phone calls for somebody."